Scottish Masters Triumph at World Senior Championships in Thailand

17th September 2025 by Robert McLean 

Scotland’s Masters Badminton Team enjoyed a remarkable week of success at the recent World Senior Championships in Thailand, returning home with a superb medal haul and an abundance of pride after competing against some of the world’s top veteran players.

A 12-strong team made the journey to Southeast Asia, representing Scotland across multiple age categories and disciplines – and their collective efforts produced outstanding results, including three gold medals and three bronze medals, along with numerous strong performances that highlighted the talent, resilience, and sportsmanship of our Scottish athletes.

Christine Black Leads the Medal Charge with Triple Gold

The standout performance of the tournament came from the evergreen Christine Black, who was simply unstoppable in the Over 70s category. Competing across all three disciplines, Christine secured a hat-trick of gold medals, a truly exceptional achievement at international level.

  • Women’s Singles (Over 70s) – Christine demonstrated her tactical mastery and fitness to dominate the singles field.

  • Women’s Doubles (Over 70s) – Partnering with the Netherlands’ Marjan Ridder, the experienced duo proved too strong for their international opponents, combining seamlessly to take top honours.

  • Mixed Doubles (Over 70s) – In a nostalgic and crowd-pleasing partnership, Christine teamed up with Scottish Masters legend Dan Travers to clinch gold and round off a perfect tournament.

Christine’s success not only underscores her personal dedication to the sport but also shines a spotlight on the strength of Scotland’s Masters programme at the highest level.

Bronze Medal Success Across Multiple Categories

While Christine stole the headlines, there were more podium finishes for Team Scotland across the tournament:

  • Helen Milne and Lynne Campbell earned a well-deserved bronze medal in the Women’s Doubles Over 50s. The pair battled through a tough draw, showcasing exceptional defensive play and team chemistry.

  • In the Women’s Doubles Over 35s, Jody Barral partnered with Indonesian star and former world-class player Debby Susanto. Facing some of the strongest pairs in the draw, the duo’s blend of attacking flair and court coverage saw them claim a hard-fought bronze medal, a significant achievement given the strength of the field.

Quarter-Final Highlights and Strong Performances

The team’s success extended beyond the medal winners, with several players turning in strong performances:

  • Mark Caldwell produced one of the tournament’s standout runs in the Men’s Singles Over 55s, advancing to the quarter-finals after a series of tough matches. His aggressive style and tactical sharpness earned him praise from spectators and competitors alike.

  • Other players including Craig Robertson, Alan McMillan, Sid Singh, Frazer McCulloch, Daniel Smith, and Ross Campbell all competed with distinction, showing the depth of talent and commitment across the Scottish squad.

A Team Effort On and Off the Court

A special thanks goes to Aileen Travers, who played a crucial off-court role throughout the week. Aileen provided post-match interviews, media content, and invaluable positive energy that helped keep team morale high throughout the competition.

Representing Scotland with Pride

The Scottish Masters Team continues to build a strong reputation on the international stage. Their performances in Thailand are a testament to years of dedication, training, and a love for the sport that knows no age limit.

Team Scotland – Thailand 2025 Squad:

  • Christine Black

  • Dan Travers

  • Mark Caldwell

  • Craig Robertson

  • Alan McMillan

  • Lynne Campbell

  • Sid Singh

  • Frazer McCulloch

  • Jody Barral

  • Helen Milne

  • Daniel Smith

  • Ross Campbell

Congratulations to all our players on representing Scotland with skill, integrity, and passion.